Here is what I had encountered over the weekend. My grandmother was Azzie Lee Bolden, my mother's mother. She is the young woman in the far right of the picture which was taken around 1922 or 1923. Her father was Alfred Lee Bolden, the dapper looking man standing behind her. I don't have a picture of Alfred Lee Bolden's father, John Thomas Bolden but wish that I had one. John Thomas Bolden's father was John Thomas Bolden too or should I say Bolding. The name kind of morphed as my ancestors migrated across America. They started out Bolding and ended up Bolden when they moved. This is where things start to get tricky for me.
John Thomas Bolden the 1st father was Jonathan Lee Bolding of Pickens County, South Carolina. J.T. (John Thomas) was born in 1834 in the same county. John met and married Margaret White on August 9, 1855 in Pickens. He enlisted around May 15, 1861 in the Confederate army and fought with Company H, 2nd S.C. Rifles Regiment until his death on June 10, 1863. J.T. was captured and killed by the Federals in the swamps near Suffolk, VA. Are you with me so far? Let's continue.
In 1870 the family decided to move to Forsyth County, Georgia. John Thomas Bolden the 2nd went by the name of Jack. I understand that the nickname for John is Jack. Jack married Martha Fowler on October 10. 1880 in Forsyth County, Georgia. I am okay with this so far. Then I started trying to put my book in order. Here is where I nearly lost my sanity.
I tried to separate both of the John Thomas Bolden\Bolding from each other. When trying to research a relatives steps I always use the Census. In general they provide a vast amount of information, supposedly. It really depends on the Census taker and the person providing the information.
J.T. was living in Pickens County, S.C. in 1860 with his wife Margaret and four children. Remember he is killed in 1863 so he will not be listed on the 1870 Census. He is not the person I am looking for anyway, it is the second John Thomas Bolding\Bolden. In 1870 I find Margaret with four children living in Anderson, S.C. One of her children was named Jackson. Ok, I thought, this is my second John Thomas. Then in 1880 in Forsyth County, GA Margaret has three children listed. Jackson is now listed as Andrew Jackson. Oh what the hell! I keep searching. In 1900, Margaret is living in Forysth County with her youngest son. I couldn't find Andrew Jackson anywhere. I found a marriage certificate for John T. Bolling and Martha Fowler in Forsyth County in 1880. I found John living with his wife in Murray County in the 1900 Census. In each Census thereafter John Thomas was either listed by John Thomas or Jack. The key name is Jack. He was always called by this name.
For years I searched and searched for John Thomas when he was right under my nose all along. This is not the first relative that changed their name that I have found in my family search and it will probably not be the last.
P.S. I don't go by my given name either.
Hello. My name is brittany and I apparently am related to these same people. I would love some help finding some of the documents u have found. I have looked and looked and cant find any anywhere! If you would help i would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Email is jorja143@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy Name is Martha J. Lewis, and my maternal grandfather was John Thomas Bolden. My mother is his only child by his second wife, Julia E. His first wife was a Fowler with whom he had 5 children...I believe. My family has, at various times, tried to do some research on our Bolden background. We don't know anything much about them since they moved down to around Forsyth county, Georgia almost at the end of the Civil War or soon after. I do remember that mother said that she believed his father and all his father's brothers were killed during the Civil War. We would love to know if John Thomas' uncles had children or not and get in touch with them.
ReplyDeleteThe Bolden family came from Pickens South Carolina. The surname is really Bolding. There is a book called Bolding 1985 by Agnes Bolding Lesley you should try to find at your local library. If you live close to Chattanooga there should be a copy in their collection. The Internet Archive as a copy on line @https://archive.org/details/boldingfamilyjon00agne
DeleteYes, I'm know that my Bolden ancestors came from Pickens, S. C. They came down to Forsyth Co., Ga. after the Civil War. John Thomas' widow had my grandfather John Thomas (also called Jack) with her. Grandfather John T. married Martha Fowler (my full maiden name is Martha Junelle Fowler) Grandfather's Martha Fowler was my great, great grandfather's sister. (I believe that's the correct amount's of greats. ) Grandfather John and Martha Fowler had 5 children. Martha passed away and several years later he married my maternal grandmother, Julia Elizabeth. Julia E. was quite a bit younger than Julia. They had one child together. He died when, my mother, Nellie M. Bolden was around 15. I and my brothers never
Deleteknew him. I have the same photo you posted and can name a few of the people. The one on the left side is my grandmother, Julia Elizabeth, the white headed little girl next to her is my mother. The other children are her some of her half nieces and nephews. I recognize a couple of them. Grandfather John T. and Martha's children were old enough to be my mother's parents. Most, in not all, of her nieces and nephews are older than she. I can tell you a little more later.
Martha J. Lewis, I meant to add that I believe I do have one very old photo of John Thomas. It is old and worn.
ReplyDeleteIt there a way you could send a copy of Jack's photograph to me?
DeleteI'm not too clever about doing things on the internet, but I will give it a try in a few days. My daughter-in-law can help me with this when she drops by. In the meantime I will try to find that photo if possible. I'm so pleased to be able to have contact with my Bolden family. None of grandfather's children are still alive but many still live in and around Ringgold, Ga. That's only about 20 miles southeast of Chattanooga.
ReplyDeleteI have found the photo of my grandfather, John Thomas Bolden (Jack). If you wish for me to send you a copy I need to know how/where to send it, and I would like to have your name as well. I also have several other old photos of the Boldens as well. These are really old photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Junelle, my name is Jeannie Smith. You can send me an email at jelmansouri@yahoo.com If you have a scanned copy of the picture that would be great.
ReplyDeleteI will send you an email. I can't send the photo right now, because I'm not sure how. When my son and daughter-in-law comes over next week I'll get them to do it for me. My email is Birdlover1340015@aol.com
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